Anthony Schrag
Lure of the Lost: A Contemporary Pilgrimage
2015
Piers Plowman
Anthony Schrag is an artist with multiple nationalities. Born in Zimbabwe, he holds also British, Canadian and Swiss citizenships. He returned to Deveron Arts in 2015 for a truly epic project: a walk from Huntly to Venice. He has previously worked with us on the A Perfect Father Day project.
The Venice Biennale is a 'sacred site', revered by artists across the globe. Anthony is questioning how alternative artistic practices are valued within and outwith the institutions of art, and through this asks wider questions of personal belonging, journeying and the right of free movement. He is asking what it means to want to go to a place, this place, with the desire to be included, with his participatory, often politically scented ideas. St Anthony, the patron saint of the Lost, acts as a metaphorical guide for the artist's journey and through this pilgrimage, there is an inquiry into why we are always looking to reach another destination; something new, something more, something bigger and better, both materially and spiritually.
A pilgrimage often involves a journey to a place of significance, acting as a rite of passage, for spiritual or material rewards. Often it is done as a penance in relief of personal or collective guilt. The pilgrimage concept is relevant not only in regards to religion, but in history, anthropology, philosophy and architecture, and has motivated writers and artists for centuries. Pilgrimages touch on many aspects of human existence through the physical journey as well as the spiritual personal journey. Lure of the Lost is a contemporary pilgrimage that aims to explore questions of our existence and where we fit in the world at a time when many people are on the move in search of a better life, free from persecution and threat.
Anthony Schrag started his walk to the most 'sacred' of art sites - the Venice Biennale on 14 June, following St Anthony's Feast Day. The route will exercise the right for freedom of movement to the extreme, crossing Britain and Europe, over the Alps to Italy. He hopes to reach Venice by the 1st of October. His journey is one of endurance and reflection devised from both existing paths, such as the Pennine Way and Via Francigena, and reconstructed routes.
Significant to Lure of the Lost is the tradition of hospitality toward pilgrims. Anthony will be hosted by communities along the route. The interactions and the conversations generated will frame the project and put it into perspective, at a time when many people walk the opposite direction in search for freedom and a life free of persecution. Anthony hopes to stay with and be joined by many people from all different walks of life, taking relics from those he meets, to carry with him to the Venice Biennale. Deveron Arts is looking for artists, citizens and communities along the way who like to offer the pilgrim shelter, hospitality and companionship.
To follow the pilgrimage progress, see Anthony's blog and the map of stops en route.
You can also support the project through the Lure of the Lost Wefund Campaign and join in surrounding events through details on the website.
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Projects
Lure of the Lost: A Contemporary Pilgrimage